The big yellow bird on Sesame Street is an 8-foot-2-inch tall character named Big Bird. He is one of the main Muppet characters on the popular children’s television show Sesame Street, which first aired in 1969 and continues to run new episodes today. Big Bird has become an iconic figure for the show and is well-known for helping children learn their ABCs and 123s. In this article, we will explore Big Bird’s origins, personality, relationships with other characters, impact on children’s education, and pop culture presence over the past 50+ years on Sesame Street.
Big Bird’s Origins
Big Bird was one of the original main characters created for Sesame Street by puppeteer Jim Henson. The character debuted on the first episode of Sesame Street on November 10, 1969.
Originally Big Bird was conceived as a silly, clumsy character with googly eyes. However, those plans were soon changed during early rehearsals. The producers decided he should be a curious child learning letters and numbers just like the young viewers he would be teaching. This helped establish Big Bird’s endearing innocence and youthful personality.
The name “Big Bird” was coined by producer Jon Stone in order to convey the character’s large size and bird-like appearance. His species is that of a “golden condor” – an 8-foot tall yellow bird.
Big Bird’s original performer inside the puppet costume was Caroll Spinney. Spinney continued to play Big Bird for nearly 50 years before retiring in 2018. He based Big Bird’s movements and mannerisms partly on studying real birds at the Bronx Zoo.
Big Bird’s Personality
As established early on, Big Bird has a childlike innocence and curiosity about the world. Despite his large size, he acts his age of 6 years old. He is naive about many concepts, asks a lot of questions, and makes honest mistakes as he learns. This allows him to interact with the human cast and seek their guidance.
Big Bird can get confused by complex subjects and big words. He sometimes misunderstands situations due to his youth. However, he always means well. He has a cheerful, kind personality and strives to be helpful and do the right thing.
Some key personality traits that define Big Bird include:
- Innocent
- Inquisitive
- Eager to learn
- Caring
- Happy
- Friendly to everyone
Big Bird experiences the full range of emotions just like a young child would. He gets sad, frustrated, jealous, angry, excited, lonely, and proud. Expressing these feelings helps children learn to identify emotions and understand them.
Despite all this, he tries to keep an upbeat attitude. He loves to sing, dance, and have fun playing pretend with his neighborhood friends. As the song says, “Sunny day, sweepin’ the clouds away, on my way to where the air is sweet!”
Relationships with Other Sesame Street Characters
Big Bird maintains close bonds with several of the key Sesame Street residents who he lives alongside. These relationships help teach children about friendship.
Some of Big Bird’s closest companions over the years have included:
- Elmo – Red furry monster, represents 3-year-olds. Big Bird looks after him like a little brother.
- Snuffy – Big Bird’s best friend is a brown Snuffleupagus (woolly mammoth-type creature). Only Big Bird believed Snuffy existed for many years.
- Oscar the Grouch – Lives in a trash can on Sesame Street. Big Bird tries to be nice to the grumpy grouch.
- Cookie Monster – Loves to eat cookies and is friends with everyone. Big Bird eats birdseed cookies with him.
- Grover – Excitable blue monster who calls Big Bird his “cute and feathered friend.”
Some memorable dynamics between Big Bird and other characters have included:
- Trying to ride a tricycle despite his big legs
- Learning to fly with aviator goggles and imagining adventures
- Drawing pictures and making crafts projects
- Going to preschool at the Playground and making macaroni art
- Taking care of his teddy bear named Radar
Impact on Children’s Education
The writers and producers of Sesame Street made an intentional decision early on to make cognitive learning part of the show’s educational curriculum. As a result, Big Bird became a key vehicle for modeling age-appropriate learning abilities.
Some examples of concepts Big Bird has taught young viewers over the decades include:
- Alphabet – Learning his ABCs through songs
- Numbers & Counting – Counting blocks, objects, etc.
- Shapes – Naming circles, squares, triangles
- Colors – Identifying primary colors
- Opposites – Up/down, day/night, happy/sad
- Rhyming – Cat/hat/bat rhyming games
Research has shown that Sesame Street’s educational content helps prepare disadvantaged children for school. One study found kids who watched 9 hours of educational shows like Sesame Street over 2 months scored higher on school readiness tests. The impact was particularly strong for cognitive learning of letters and numbers.
By modeling the learning process on screen through Big Bird, the show helps kids gain understanding and makes education entertaining. Big Bird is the stand-in for the child at home saying “Oh, I get it!” when concepts click. An entire generation learned numbers by memorizing the “Counting to 20” song with Big Bird.
Big Bird Beyond Sesame Street
In addition to his ongoing role on Sesame Street, Big Bird has become a cultural icon over the past 50 years. He is one of the most recognizable and beloved characters from children’s television.
Some highlights showing Big Bird’s impact beyond just the show include:
- Feature film The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999) co-starring Big Bird
- Regular guest on The Ed Sullivan Show starting in 1969
- Appearance on The West Wing to advocate funding for PBS
- Sesame Street float featuring Big Bird in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Featured on U.S postage stamps and NASA mission insignia
- Bronze statues installed at sea ports from California to Singapore
- Recipient of a Congressional Gold Medal for educating generations of children
Big Bird also starred in the 1985 feature film Follow That Bird, where he is sent to live with a foster family of dodos but runs away hoping to get back to Sesame Street. The movie was well-received and earned more than $13 million at the box office.
For many children, getting to meet Big Bird and give him a hug is a dream come true. He is a hero who has touched millions of lives through teaching kids their ABCs and 123s. Big Bird remains a beloved icon of children’s television after more than 50 years on the air.
Big Bird Performers Over the Years
Bringing Big Bird to life requires a team of talented puppeteers. Here are the key people who have performed as Big Bird over the decades:
Performer | Years as Big Bird |
---|---|
Caroll Spinney | 1969 – 2018 |
Matt Vogel | 2018 – present |
Daniel Seagren | 1969 – 1972 (walkaround costume) |
Rick Lyon | 1978 – 1981 (walkaround costume) |
Caroll Spinney designed and performed Big Bird for nearly 50 years inside the puppet costume. Spinney based much of Big Bird’s personality and mannerisms on himself and his memories of childhood.
When Spinney retired in 2018 at age 84, longtime Sesame Street puppeteer Matt Vogel was selected as his replacement. Vogel had already been doing Big Bird’s voice for some time and was mentored by Spinney on the role. Vogel continues to bring joy to children today as the man behind Big Bird.
The walkaround version of Big Bird for live appearances and special events has also required multiple performers over the years. But it is Spinney and now Vogel who have truly brought the 8-foot feathered friend to life.
Interesting Facts About Big Bird
Over 50+ years on television, Big Bird has developed into a complex character with many intriguing details. Here are some fun facts about Sesame Street’s giant yellow avian:
- Standing 8 feet 2 inches tall, Big Bird is the tallest character on Sesame Street. His head alone is more than 2 feet wide.
- The costume weighs around 5 pounds. The puppeteer’s arm is extended up through Big Bird’s neck to operate his head and mouth.
- His feather “skin” fabric is made primarily of turkey feathers dyed yellow.
- Sets on Sesame Street had to be built raised up with trenches and open spaces to accommodate the Big Bird costume underneath while filming.
- In early seasons, NASA astronaut Johnson told Big Bird that he had been turned down to go into space because he was too big.
- Big Bird sang Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” with the Boston Pops in 1970 and has performed hundreds of songs.
- For many years his best friend Mr. Snuffleupagus was deemed imaginary, until revealed to be real in 1985.
- In the first episode, Big Bird was the first Muppet to meet human cast member Gordon.
- Big Bird got sick on camera in 1983 which helped children learn about illness.
- In 2002, Big Bird appeared on an episode of The West Wing and met First Lady Laura Bush to advocate for funding PBS.
After five decades, Big Bird remains a beloved icon of children’s television and exemplifies the spirit of learning, kindness, and imagination that Sesame Street represents. The big yellow bird continues to touch hearts and teach generations of kids their letters and numbers every day.
Conclusion
Big Bird has become an American icon and cherished figure for children across generations. His childlike wonder, humor, and dedication to learning have educated and entertained millions since his debut in 1969. 50+ years later, the 8-foot-tall curious bird remains the heart and soul of Sesame Street.
Big Bird has taught countless kids their ABCs and 123s through memorable songs, skits, and interactions. Even when tackling more complex issues like illness, jealousy, or losing a loved one, Big Bird represents a safe perspective for children to learn. His impact on education and culture continues today through new Sesame Street episodes, live appearances, movies, books, and more.
For many, Big Bird is a childhood friend who nurtured their own learning and growth. He represents the power of media to educate and bring joy to children worldwide. There may be newer animated and digital children’s shows today, but the appeal of Sesame Street and its beloved bird endures across generations. The big yellow guy with the kind heart will always have a place in the hearts of the children he has taught so much.